The Emperor's Media Purchased Clothes

There, there Mr. President, they just don't understand you like we do. And anyway, it's George Bush's fault. That's the sentiment from the New York Times in this morning's editorial. After being personally humiliated on a global stage, the NYT finds it necessary to prop up the President even when they admit it was a foolish and questionable gamble in his flying to Copenhagen with a personal appeal for Chicago's Olympic bid. Then the over-the-top fawning really begins.

"Mr. Obama has done important, courageous things to restore America’s standing. After George W. Bush, it feels good — and safer — to know that people around the world feel better about this country and about this president. One of Mr. Obama’s biggest challenges now is finding ways to fully leverage that good will into strong international leadership. And let’s face it, looking like a winner always helps."

What are these important and courageous things that Obama has done? What evidence exists of people around the world feeling better about America? Why do we think that everyone on earth should like Obama? Just because our Apologist-in-Chief says so in a speech, or to the press, doesn't mean it has or will happen in reality. He says things everyday that aren't true. He has ordered Guantanamo closed, but it won't close by his deadline or anyone else's. Yet he still uses this line as a fait accompli. Under his watch the U.S. will no longer torture prisoners. We never did. The economy is improving, despite rising unemployment figures. He won't sign a bill with earmarks, then goes and does exactly that. It goes on and on.

The only thing that is fueling the Obama administration, apart from ego and arrogance, is a remaining contingent of a cloying press. He, his advisors, and the media, wrongfully assume that 99% of what makes a president successful is to just show up. They underestimate the importance of substance. So far, this president, in my estimation, has shown very little substance in everything he does. In other words, he is an empty suit.